The Most Overrated Pieces Of Camping Gear That Aren’t Worth Your Money
Camping gear has come a long way, but not everything on the shelves deserves a spot in your pack. Clever marketing can make even the most impractical item look essential. While some niche gear can improve your experience outdoors, other products just add weight, clutter, or unnecessary cost. Before spending your hard-earned money, it's worth taking a step back and asking what actually helps and what’s just hype. Here are eight common gear items that often fail to live up to their promise.
Oversized Multi-Tools
A multi-tool seems like a smart, space-saving purchase, but many models are overloaded with tools you'll never use. They’re bulky, awkward to handle, and often underperform compared to individual tools. Instead of paying for twenty attachments, most of which are too flimsy for real use, you’re better off bringing just what you need: a solid knife, maybe a small pair of pliers, and a lighter. Simple, reliable tools often beat bloated ones.
Expensive Solar Chargers
Solar chargers sound like a great idea, especially for longer trips. However, many models don't deliver enough power to be worth the weight or cost. They need long hours of direct sunlight, and even then may barely charge your phone. If you’re going off-grid for a few days, a fully charged, standard power bank is usually a safer bet. Unless you’re out for weeks, solar often becomes more frustration than solution.
Inflatable Camping Pillows
These may look like an upgrade from the old hoodie-stuffed-with-clothes trick, but many inflatable pillows are noisy, uncomfortable, and deflate during the night. They can also add unnecessary bulk to your pack. Most campers find that a rolled-up fleece or small travel pillow from home does the job better. It's one of those comfort items that often feels nice in theory but disappoints in use.
High-Tech Tents With Gimmicky Features
Tents are essential, but not all features improve function. Some models are packed with extras like built-in lighting, phone chargers, or multi-room dividers that sound impressive, but rarely improve your experience. These additions also often come with more zippers, seams, and points of potential failure. What matters most is durability, weather resistance, and ease of setup. Stick with tents that do those basics well and skip the tech-heavy bells and whistles.
Portable Espresso Makers
It's tempting to want the comforts of home in the woods, especially coffee, but portable espresso makers are often more trouble than they’re worth. They’re messy, fragile, and need frequent cleaning. Plus, they take up valuable space. A simple pour-over or instant coffee can be just as satisfying with far less hassle. If you really want espresso, get a simple, lightweight, easy to clean device like an Aeropress.
Camp Showers and Pressurized Water Systems
Staying clean outdoors matters, but many portable showers are awkward to use and take a long time to heat. They also burn through water quickly, leaving you with a wet mess and little gain. For most trips, a quick sponge bath with a washcloth or biodegradable wipes is enough. Shower systems are good for washing hair, but so is any sort of squeeze bottle, which takes up less space and weight.
Heavy-Duty Cooking Sets
A full metal cooking set with pots, pans, strainers, and lids may feel like a luxury, but it rarely gets used fully. Most campers end up cooking in a single pot and eating from the same bowl, so lugging around a kitchen's worth of gear for a simple meal just doesn’t make sense. Stick to a lightweight setup that covers the basics, and skip any extras that you likely won't use anyway.
Fire Starters in Fancy Packaging
Some fire starters are more about presentation than performance. Colorful wrappers, waterproof coatings, or fancy names can't make up for poor burn time or unreliable ignition. Most experienced campers rely on a mix of dry tinder, simple cotton balls in petroleum jelly, or reliable firewood prep. There’s no need to spend on branded fire starters when homemade or natural options often work better.
It's easy to get caught up in gear specifics when preparing for the outdoors, but not everything marketed to campers is actually made to make life easier. Choosing gear that’s proven, practical, and suited to your style of camping makes a bigger difference than chasing the latest gadget. Pack smart, keep it simple, and remember that the best part of camping isn’t the gear you bring, it’s the experience.